Collins, a 40-year Balboa Peninsula resident, plans to lead the museum's transition into ExplorOcean, an interactive entertainment and educational center planned for the Balboa Fun Zone. Some of his goals are to recruit capital campaign board members and to secure gifts for the estimated $40-million project, according to a museum news release. He also plans to develop new education programming and exhibits.

Since joining the board as a trustee five years ago, Collins has served as treasurer. His two-year chairman appointment became effective June 1.

Collins runs T.C. Collins & Associates, a Newport Beach-based real estate management and development company that consults for the city in the redevelopment of Lido Village. He spent eight years as a harbor commissioner and was the commission's first chairman.